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Started from the usual wee south bound spot just along from the entrance Auch private access road. Another walker had parked on the actual wee road and set off on foot just ahead of me.
A good view from A82 up walk. (images can be enlarged by clicking on them)
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I biked up Auch Gleann on the sound track, with several straightforward river crossings,
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
to the start of the main ascent just above the head of the loch Lyon at Strath Tarabhan. It took 50 minutes including the optional walking bits to reach the wooden bridge.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
. by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
On the wee bridge just before heading upwards.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
No sign of any paths to follow so I just headed north on a direct summit bearing. After a good bit of calf burning I hit the snow line, soft and wet at first with sparse covering progressing to deeper widespread cover higher up. This made for a sluggish gait, which was extremely energy sapping and provided many bungee leg moments in the deeper sections.
A view upwards from the start of the snow line.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I took more recovery rest intervals on this ascent than normal, probably the Christmas weight gain, but it did offer the chance to take more shots of the surroundings. I also noticed the other climber who was approaching up on the Beinn a’Chuirn side of the gulley to the bealach.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I pushed on to reach the large summit plateau with virginal snow covering and bashed on to find the small cairn which seemed lower than the ground ahead. Old eyes must be playing up. It had taken 2.5 hours to reach the summit.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
. by
scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The other climber arrived and we had a chat then wandered over to the craggier north side. This provided some good views over to Glean Meran and Glen Lyon.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I said farewell to the other man and headed back down retracing my footprints.
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
A view back down to the A82
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I sourced a plastic bag and practiced the bum slides. I even managed to steer the derriere moulded luge with a trailing ice axe. Not so hot on the old brakes though and on one stop I managed an eskimo roll. Wrong sport but it worked. Then I noticed the unopened bottle of orange sports drink sliding downwards. It just kept on going until it disappeared altogether. Still I’m sure the native sheep will enjoy the drink.I brushed the snow off and descended to practice ice axe arrests before reaching the bike.
The return cycle was easier and the impressive scenery became more vibrant as the sun broke through. This provided good light for photographs, shame about the photographer.
A view to the back of Ben an Dothaidh
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
A view up Ben Dorain
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
I arrived safely back at the car in good time. It had taken 4.5 hours including all the stops.
On the return drive the views over the Black Mount range, White Corries, Pass of Glencoe, AE ridge and the Fort were awesome. Black mount
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The entrance to Glencoe
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The AE Ridge from the A82
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
A sneaky view of the AE ridge
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scottishkennyg, on Flickr
We are very fortunate to have this on our doorstep.